Rabbi Ralph Genende, Senior Rabbi to the Australian Defence Force
Jewish Chaplaincy in the Australian Defence Force
By Rabbi Ralph Genende, Senior Rabbi to the Australian Defence Force
Background
Jewish Chaplaincy has a long and distinguished record in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) It is part of the ADF Chaplaincy program and is currently represented at the highest level by having the Senior Rabbi to the ADF as a member of the Religious Advisory Committee to the Services (RACS). RACS comprises five senior Christian clergy representing the major churches and a Jewish representative. All are equal in rank and role, non-uniformed but with the status of two-star officers.
RACS Representation
RACS responsibilities include oversight of chaplaincy work in the ADF as well as providing advice to the Chief of the Defence Force on spiritual and ethical matters. The Principal Chaplains of each of the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force attend these meetings, contributing towards inter-faith harmony.
Jewish Chaplaincy
Jewish chaplaincy focuses on providing religious, spiritual and cultural support for Jewish ADF members. Support is, wherever possible, provided through visits by the Jewish Chaplain or by giving support through the local unit Chaplain, by e-mail, phone contact or by sending “care packages” containing a siddur,
Tanach, kosher grape juice or Pesach items.
Each year a Pesach Matzah Package and information booklet is sent out to known Jewish ADF members.
An information pamphlet is also usually e-mailed or mailed to all Jewish ADF members before the Yamim Noraim (Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur).
Jewish Community Work
The Senior Rabbi and Chaplains officiate at Anzac Day services, Remembrance Day services, Memorial Services for Sir John Monash and other Jewish ex-service organisation services.
We seek out and stay in contact with as many Jewish ADF members as possible. The chaplains also have the demands of their regular unit. We usually have some Jewish personnel serving in overseas operational areas. We work constantly at updating our own database and welcome any information about Jewish ADF members.
A secondary function of Jewish Chaplaincy especially through the office of the RACS member is to establish links with the military and chaplaincy hierarchy in order to gain recognition of our unique needs and to act as champions on behalf of the Jewish ADF members. This involves promoting Jewish Chaplaincy through the general media and through functions such as Chanukah parties at headquarters in the key centres.
Chanukah parties are organised yearly. These are well attended by senior military officers, Jewish personnel and Jewish community representatives.
A third function of Jewish chaplaincy involves outreach to the Jewish community, to advise the community of our role, to enhance the status of our chaplains and to provide liaison and support to the parents of Jewish personnel especially those serving in overseas operations.
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Chaplain (Flight Lieutenant) Joseph ‘Yossi’ Friedman.
- Chaplain (Flight Lieutenant) Yossi Friedman, Royal Australian Air Force
Ongoing work
Chaplain (Captain) Dovid Gutnick is Unit Chaplain of 22 Construction Regiment and Chaplain (Flight Lieutenant) Yossi Friedman of 22 Squadron has recently joined the Air Force as a chaplain and is undergoing training.
Chaplaincy tasks include:
- Attending regular parades of the unit
- Ongoing pastoral work for unit personnel
- Doing ongoing courses and training
- Responding to calls for advice and information about Jewish issues
Contact Us
For further information about Jewish Chaplaincy in the ADF, please contact Rabbi Genende on [email protected]